Hollieanna Groves

Hollianna Groves

Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

Glenn Lingle (2nd from right) with his children, Jason, Kurt and Alinda at their fruit stand in Maitland, Friday, Feb. 18, 2011. The Lingles have owned and operated Hollieanna Groves in Maitland since 1954.

Glenn Lingle (2nd from right) with his children, Jason, Kurt and Alinda at their fruit stand in Maitland, Friday, Feb. 18, 2011. The Lingles have owned and operated Hollieanna Groves in Maitland since 1954. (Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel)

Glenn Lingle, 83, has been growing, packing and shipping citrus for as long as he can remember. And his father owned groves before him. In March 1954, Glenn purchased the Hollieanna storefront on U.S. Highway 17-92 in Maitland and created the packinghouse and roadside fruit stand that has stood the test of time despite encroaching growth and development.

And the next generation of Lingles plan to keep the operation in place for generations to come.

"We have customers who have been coming to us for more than 40 years," says Lingle, who now leaves the day-to-day operations to his sons Jason and Kurt and daughter Alinda Lingle Buerk, with the next generation popping in to help from time to time.

"It is really special to be part of something that is such an important part of Florida's agricultural history," says Alinda. The pace of traffic is much faster along the thoroughfare today, but Alinda says that doesn't stop newcomers and longtime residents from stopping in. "Some people are curious and surprised, but we always get positive comments.

The Lingles, who started with groves in Seminole County, now grow citrus in Fort Pierce.